Celebrate the Magic of Chinese New Year at Hong Kong Disneyland

Thundering drum beats, swirling dragon dancers, striking red and gold Chinese outfits and blossoming flowers will all herald the start of a magical Chinese New Year celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland.

From January 29 to February 12, 2006, a series of special activities will take place throughout Hong Kong Disneyland to welcome the start of the Year of the Dog.

Every day, the park will come alive to the sound of drum rolls, cymbals and gongs and a wave of bright color as dragons, lions, dancers and musicians dance their way around a specially designed stage in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Special guests will be chosen to bring the three lions to life in an eye dotting ceremony on stage. As the live percussion grows louder the lions and dragons will perform a lively dance to welcome the start of Chinese New Year, before being joined on stage by Disney friends Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and Chip and Dale all looking elegant in their new Chinese outfits.

The Disney friends will offer their Chinese New Year greetings to the crowd before welcoming one lucky family to receive a special gift. As the sound of popular Disney tunes sound through the air, streamers will cascade from the top of Sleeping Beauty Castle onto the crowd below for a vividly colorful finish to the ceremony.

A visit to Hong Kong Disneyland at Chinese New Year would not be complete without a special photo with beloved Disney friends, who will be dressed up in their specially tailored Chinese outfits just in time to create memorable photos for every guest.

Adding to the Chinese New Year atmosphere, blossoming plants will welcome guests as they enter the park and stroll along Main Street USA. In Town Square, a delicate plum blossom tree will flower throughout the first 15 days of Chinese New Year.

The lampposts on the entranceway to the park will feature brightly hued fai chun (red couplets) wishing guests a happy Chinese New Year while over the archway leading into Main Street USA a large greeting decorated with sprigs of plum blossoms will welcome the arrival of spring and good fortune into Hong Kong Disneyland.

Long strings of red firecrackers will dangle from the stately columns of the buildings along Main Street USA, while the windows overlooking the main thoroughfare will be beautifully ornamented with paper cutting work in the shape of flowers and leaves.

Inside the many stores at Hong Kong Disneyland there will be plenty of special Chinese New Year-inspired gifts available for family and friends.

Guests will be able to choose from Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto plush toys wearing traditional Chinese outfits and decorative wall hangings featuring a range of Disney friends with Chinese New Year greetings which are sure to add a festive sparkle to every home.

For that special little boy, there is a deep blue kung fu outfit decorated with Mickey Mouse and small red firecrackers. Little girls will delight in wearing a glowing red long sleeved Chinese jacket and matching dress embellished with the smiling face of Winnie the Pooh and gossamer white dragonflies.

Wafting through the air of Hong Kong Disneyland will be the scent of delicious treats as chefs whip up tantalizing traditional menus to bring guests together during this very special holiday.

Outdoor vendors will be dotted throughout Main Street USA selling an assortment of Chinese New Year snacks including savory turnip cake, corn in sweet honey butter sauce, and deep fried fish skin chips. Guests can indulge in sweet calamansi and lemon juice, citron and honey, sour plum and sugar cane drinks.

At the nearby Market House Bakery, guests can select from Mickey-shaped mango pudding, Fortune Fish crispy rice cakes and a delicious selection of take home goodies including Mickey’s Chinese New Year cookies all tied up in a golden gift bag.

For guests looking to enjoy a dine-in Chinese New Year-inspired lunch or dinner, every restaurant throughout Hong Kong Disneyland and the two Disney-themed hotels will offer a special Chinese New Year menu from January 27 to February 12.

For guests who extend their Hong Kong Disneyland experience and choose to stay in one of the two hotels, the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or the Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, the magic never ends. Decorations, balloon crackers and dragon dances will ensure an immersive experience like never before. And, to commemorate the start of the Year of the Dog, every night children will be told a different tale about a famous Disney dog.

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